A Definitive Ranking of Every Bob’s Burgers Christmas Episode
Screenshot via YouTube Comedy Lists Bob's Burgers
Nobody knows how to ring in the holidays quite like the Belcher family. Over the years, Bob’s Burgers has aired lots of memorable Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving episodes. But of course, we can’t forget about Christmas! From wacky gingerbread house competitions to jolly musical numbers, Bob, Linda, Tina, Gene, and Louise have got you covered for every mood this holiday season.
Get cozy and pour yourself a glass of Christmas magic. Here’s every Bob’s Burgers Christmas episode to date, ranked from worst to best:
12. “Gene’s Christmas Break” — Season 12, Episode 10
When Gene breaks his extremely rare Christmas record from the 1970s, Tina and Louise try to help him find another copy. Unfortunately, the kids are unsuccessful in their mission—he gets a serious case of the holiday blues, and the Belchers band together to raise his spirits. Meanwhile, Teddy organizes a Secret Santa with Bob and Linda. While it’s cool to see a Gene-centered episode and there are a few sweet sibling moments, this one just doesn’t feel like it’s fun enough to be a Christmas special. Between the underwhelming premise, the gloomy tone, and all that Courtney screen time, we’re going to have to rank it squarely at the bottom.
11. “Yachty or Nice” — Season 11, Episode 10
Bob scores an invitation to cater the fancy yacht club holiday boat parade, but when his rival Jimmy Pesto shows up, he becomes convinced that Jimmy is going to try to pants him in front of all the guests. In the meantime, Louise goes after the Santa Schooner full of presents. There are parts of this episode that shine, like Teddy as Santa, Bob and Jimmy’s fight literally ending with them in the water, and quotes like “I have social anxiety, Bob.” However, we can’t help but feel like it’s lacking in holiday magic. Aside from the B plot with the kids, it’s just not particularly Christmassy. It’s also a little tainted now considering the controversy surrounding the actor who plays Jimmy.
10. “The Nightmare 2 Days Before Christmas” — Season 14, Episode 10
When the Belchers’ power goes out, they’re forced to spend Christmas at their landlord Mr. Fischoeder’s hunting lodge in the mountains. Their Christmas tree falls off the car on the way there, prompting a determined Linda to go search for it. Meanwhile, the kids try to make sure Santa knows where they’re staying, and Bob is unsettled by a creepy painting. The best part of the episode is the razor sharp dialogue, and it’s certainly a fun concept. Unfortunately, though, its execution mostly falls flat. Linda’s storyline takes too long to raise the stakes, and the kids don’t get up to nearly as much mischief as we’d hope. Ultimately, this plot might have worked better if the family had stuck together instead of separating.
9. “Bob Rest Ye Merry Gentle-Mannequins” — Season 3, Episode 9
In the show’s very first Christmas special, Bob’s late Uncle Ernie bequeaths the family his old storage unit. But when the Belchers go to check it out, they discover a strange man named Chet has been living in it. Feeling the Christmas spirit, Linda convinces Bob to let him stay with them for the holidays. However, things take a turn for the weird when they learn that Chet believes he was previously a display mannequin. Like many of the earlier Bob’s episodes, this one is a bizarre story that tugs on the heartstrings at times. It’s an entertaining watch, but the episode is ultimately a little too weird overall for us to consider it a true Christmas classic.
8. “Better Off Sled” — Season 9, Episode 10
Tina, Gene, and Louise want to go sledding, but teenage bully Logan and his friends have taken over their turf, while Linda tries to knit scarves for the kids in time for Christmas despite not knowing how to knit. The best part of the episode is the epic snowball fight with all the kids, with an honorable mention going to Louise unexpectedly saving Logan. It’s always fun to see all three Belcher kiddos together, and Linda’s storyline is uncomfortably relatable for those of us who procrastinate every year. It’s not quite as impressive as some of the other Christmas specials, but it’s a solid mid-tier watch.
7. “Father of the Bob” — Season 5, Episode 6
When Bob’s father, Big Bob, throws his annual Christmas party at his restaurant, Linda insists they all attend. Although Bob doesn’t get along with his dad, he reluctantly agrees to go on the condition they only stay for 15 minutes. Things heat up when the father and son work together in the kitchen and we see flashbacks to their big argument 20 years ago. While there are still funny and quotable moments sprinkled in (“Stronger and gayer than ever!”), it’s an unexpectedly emotional and somewhat sad episode. The story does a good job of making us feel for both Bob and his father, and it wraps everything up in a way that’s pretty satisfying. You definitely have to be in the right mood to watch it, but if you want something a little more serious, it’s a good pick.
6. “Have Yourself a Maily Linda Christmas” — Season 10, Episode 10
Linda works a temp job at the post office to make extra money for the holidays. When an important package won’t arrive in time for Christmas, she goes rogue and attempts to deliver the package herself, taking Gene and Louise with her. Meanwhile, Bob and Tina must entertain Linda’s parents and sister Gayle. The episode’s premise feels fresh, and it’s a lot of fun to watch Linda take on this noble mission. Other highlights include Aunt Gayle’s usual antics, Linda’s co-workers who take UPS protocol very seriously, and that sweet sibling moment at the end.
5. “Nice Cap-Ades” — Season 6, Episode 5
The Belcher kids’ holiday might be in danger when a disgruntled mall Santa threatens to put them on the naughty list. After Louise has a nightmare about getting coal on Christmas, the siblings decide to put on a show on the mall’s ice rink where they’ll sing about all of the good things they’ve done that year. It’s always a treat to see Louise at the center, and the story feels like the perfect blend of laughs and sweet moments. The songs are fun, but it’s Louise’s unexpectedly heartfelt speech that truly makes the episode stand out. Plus, that shark gag at the end is a great bonus.
4. “Christmas in the Car” — Season 4, Episode 8
When the tree dies on Christmas Eve, Linda insists they all pile into the car and drive to a tree lot an hour away. Things take a turn when a candy cane truck nearly runs them off the road and Bob becomes convinced the driver is after them. In the meantime, the kids set up a trap for Santa, but Teddy accidentally gets caught in it instead. This episode is full of hilarious hijinks and lines (“Put some mistletoe on my butt and kiss it!”), and it also has a heartwarming ending. Some of the highlights include Bob almost getting them arrested at the diner, Linda obsessing over the Dutch baby, and poor Teddy getting stuck in the trap.
3. “The Last Gingerbread House on the Left” — Season 7, Episode 7
Mr. Fischoeder calls and asks Bob to bring food to a last-minute party—when Bob arrives, however, he finds himself locked into an intense gingerbread house competition with the landlord’s odd group of friends. At the same time, Linda, Teddy, and the kids go caroling for hot cocoa. Bob’s Burgers is at its best when it gets a little wacky, but still stays somewhat grounded. This episode is a great example of the show executing a simple premise with just the right amount of weirdness. Who doesn’t love potentially murderous landlords building gingerbread houses? Additionally, the B plot feels like a solid counterpart to balance everything out.
2. “The Bleakening” — Season 8, Episodes 6 and 7
In this two-part special, Linda tries to spread holiday cheer by hosting a party at the restaurant. But when her prized ornaments go missing, she becomes suspicious of all the guests. However, the kids are convinced that a nightmarish anti-Santa named “The Bleakening” is responsible. This one automatically stands out just on the basis of being a two-parter (double the Christmas magic!), but it’s also full of so much fun. There are catchy songs, the kids get up to plenty of mischief, and there’s even a Christmas rave that somehow feels like it fits in perfectly. Overall, this episode is a holiday classic that we could watch over and over.
1. “The Plight Before Christmas” — Season 13, Episode 10
Later Bob’s Burgers episodes can be a bit of a hit-or-miss, but this one is pure Christmas perfection. The episode was even nominated for an Emmy! When Bob and Linda realize all three kids have holiday performances on the same night, they’re determined to find a way to make it to each of them. There are so many great things about this episode: Louise’s shockingly sentimental poem, the disastrous xylophone recital where none of the kids can even read music, Bob facing obstacle after obstacle as he races to try and make it to the library…it’s truly an entertaining ride the entire time. It all comes together seamlessly at the end in a way that’s not only satisfying, but also makes us feel like we just witnessed a true Christmas miracle. Ultimately, “The Plight Before Christmas” is Bob’s Burgers at its very best.
Kelly Martinez is a freelance entertainment writer based in LA. She has also worked at BuzzFeed and People Magazine and her writing can be found on many other sites. For more of her thoughts on TV and movies (especially “Riverdale”), follow her on Twitter @kmartts.